HF 1230

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:46am

A bill for an act
relating to elections; requiring enhanced access to voter registration records
and records of returned absentee ballots on the World Wide Web; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 201.081; 203B.08, subdivision 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 201.081, is amended to read:

201.081 REGISTRATION FILES.

new text begin (a) new text end The statewide registration system is the official record of registered voters.
The voter registration applications and the terminal providing access to the statewide
registration system must be under the control of the county auditor or the public official to
whom the county auditor has delegated the responsibility for maintaining voter registration
records. The voter registration applications and terminals providing access to the statewide
registration system must not be removed from the control of the county auditor except as
provided in this deleted text begin subdivision deleted text end new text begin section new text end . The county auditor may make photographic copies of
voter registration applications in the manner provided by section 138.17.

new text begin (b) new text end A properly completed voter registration application that has been submitted to
the secretary of state or a county auditor must be maintained by the secretary of state or the
county auditor for at least 22 months after the date that the information on the application
is entered into the database of the statewide registration system. The secretary of state
or the county auditor may dispose of the applications after retention for 22 months in
the manner provided by section 138.17.

new text begin (c) The secretary of state must provide a searchable database on the World Wide
Web to allow an individual who has submitted a voter registration application to determine
whether that application has been properly completed and included in the statewide
registration system.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Procedures on receipt of ballots.

When absentee ballots are returned
to a county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the
return envelope and place it in a secure location with other return envelopes received by
that office. new text begin The county auditor or municipal clerk shall then enter sufficient identifying
information about the return envelope on a searchable database available on the World
Wide Web in a manner that allows the voter casting the absentee ballot to determine that it
has been received as required by this subdivision. new text end The county auditor or municipal clerk
shall deliver to the appropriate election judges on election day all ballots received before
or with the last mail delivery by the United States Postal Service on election day. A town
clerk may request the United States Postal Service to deliver absentee ballots to the polling
place on election day instead of to the official address of the town clerk.